Michelle Obama on Parenting: What She's Learned, How She Applies It to Young People

Michelle Obama talks about how she loves her life now in her 50s and discusses why she is currently enjoying her life on her podcast - The Light Podcast, where Hoda Kotb joined her. 

The host of Today Show, Obama, revealed that one of the reasons she is savoring this phase of her life is because she has moved on from the parenting phase.

Michelle Obama on parenting in her 50s

Through her years of parenting in and out of the White House, the former first lady learned an important lesson about how to treat young people.

According to CNBC, she believes that parents should not greet their kids with a critical eye but instead express how happy they are to be together.

It is easy for parents to fall into the trap of critiquing their kids rather than focusing on the joy of spending time together. As children grow older, their needs change, and the role of a parent evolves accordingly.

Michelle Obama recognized this and decided to transition from being a "mom-in-chief" to an "advisor-and-chief" as her children entered their teenage years. This transition allowed her to guide and support her children while respecting their independence and autonomy.

Being an advisor mom-in-chief involves stepping back and allowing your children to make their own decisions while offering guidance and support when needed.

Per the Parents, she quoted Toni Morrison, who said that kids just want happiness and do not need their parents to fix them or point out their faults.

Obama emphasized the importance of extending this joy to children who are not our own.

Obama also advised parents to be careful in their communication with young people, as we are models who show them the best parts of themselves.

Treating them like a nuisance or dehumanizing them can leave a lasting impact. Communicating with young people in a positive and uplifting manner is essential to foster their growth and development.

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Michelle Obama on the definition of being a mother

Motherhood is a complex and diverse experience that can be shaped by various factors such as culture, race, sexuality, and socioeconomic status.

However, mainstream media often portrays a narrow and exclusionary definition of motherhood that does not reflect this diversity. This can leave many mothers feeling unseen, unheard, and unworthy.

According to She Knows, Michelle Obama addressed this issue and pointed out that the portrayal of motherhood in media and popular culture often fails to represent numerous people.

The public lacks representation of LGBTQ+ parents, mothers with disabilities, families of color, and those who adopted their children or used IVF.

Single mothers and blended families are also often left out of this narrow definition of motherhood.

This limited portrayal of motherhood fails to represent the diversity of mothers' experiences and backgrounds and perpetuates harmful stereotypes and stigma.

However, Michelle Obama also highlighted the importance of sharing diverse stories of motherhood to challenge and expand society's narrow definition of what it means to be a mother.

During the podcast, Obama praised Hoda Kotb, an amazing mother who breaks many of these mainstream mom stereotypes.

Kotb, an older mom who adopted her two daughters, spoke about her initial feelings of doubt and unworthiness as a mother.

She highlighted the importance of sharing these stories of struggle and growth to help other mothers realize that they are not alone and that their experiences are valid.

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